# flag of Sudan

> national flag of the Republic of the Sudan

**Wikidata**: [Q102198](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102198)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Sudan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-sudan

## Summary
The flag of Sudan is the official national flag of the Republic of the Sudan, adopted on May 20, 1970. It features a horizontal triband of red, white, and black with a green isosceles triangle at the hoist. The design incorporates Pan-Arab colors, symbolizing Sudan's historical and cultural ties to the Arab world.

## Key Facts
- **Adoption Date:** May 20, 1970.
- **Colors:** Red, white, black, and green.
- **Design:** Horizontal triband (red, white, black) with a green triangle at the hoist.
- **Aspect Ratio:** 2:1 (width to height).
- **Unicode Character:** 🇸🇩 (U+1F1F8 U+1F1E9).
- **Pan-Arab Symbolism:** Uses colors associated with Arab nationalism.
- **Jurisdiction:** Represents the Republic of the Sudan.
- **Aliases:** Known as "bandera de Sudán" (Spanish), "Flagge Sudans" (German), "スーダンの旗" (Japanese), and "苏丹国旗" (Chinese).
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Articles in 67 languages, including Arabic, English, French, and Chinese.
- **Identifiers:** Freebase ID `/m/02c2mz`, Flags of the World ID `sd`, and OSM Name Suggestion Index ID `sudan-e5dc93`.
- **Google Play Store ID:** `Sudans_flagg_og_våpen`.

## FAQs
**What do the colors of the Sudanese flag represent?**  
The red symbolizes struggle and sacrifice, white represents peace and purity, black signifies the African continent, and green denotes Islam and the country's Arab heritage.

**When was the current flag of Sudan officially adopted?**  
The flag was adopted on May 20, 1970, following Sudan's political reorganization under Gaafar Nimeiry.

**Why does the flag feature a green triangle?**  
The green triangle at the hoist symbolizes Islam, reflecting Sudan's majority-Muslim population and its role in national identity.

**How is the flag represented digitally?**  
It is encoded as the Unicode character 🇸🇩 and has a dedicated OpenStreetMap tag (`flag:type=national`).

**What is the flag's aspect ratio?**  
The flag's proportions are 2:1 (width to height), standardized for official use.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Sudan serves as a unifying national symbol, reflecting the country's complex history, cultural identity, and political evolution. Adopted during a period of significant political change, it visually connects Sudan to broader Arab and African heritage through its use of Pan-Arab colors. The flag's design balances religious, historical, and geopolitical influences, making it a critical emblem of sovereignty in international relations and domestic governance.

## Notable For
- **Pan-Arab Colors:** One of several flags incorporating red, white, black, and green to symbolize Arab nationalism.
- **Unique Design Element:** The green triangle distinguishes it from other horizontal tribands.
- **Post-Colonial Symbolism:** Adopted after Sudan's 1969 revolution, marking a break from earlier monarchical symbols.
- **Unicode Representation:** Assigned a unique emoji (🇸🇩) for digital use.
- **Multilingual Recognition:** Documented in 67 Wikipedia languages, underscoring its global diplomatic relevance.

## Body

### Design and Symbolism
The flag of Sudan consists of three equal horizontal bands of **red**, **white**, and **black**, with a **green isosceles triangle** extending from the hoist side. The colors hold specific meanings:
- **Red** symbolizes struggle and the blood of national martyrs.
- **White** represents peace, unity, and purity.
- **Black** signifies the African continent and the Sudanese people.
- **Green** denotes Islam, the religion practiced by the majority of Sudanese citizens.

### Historical Context
Adopted on **May 20, 1970**, the flag replaced the post-independence design (1956–1969), which featured a yellow crescent and star on a green field. The 1970 redesign aligned with the Pan-Arabist ideology of Gaafar Nimeiry's government, emphasizing Sudan's Arab and Islamic identity. The current design has remained unchanged despite political shifts, including the 2019 Sudanese revolution.

### Technical Specifications
- **Aspect Ratio:** 2:1 (width to height), standardized for government and civilian use.
- **Proportions:** The green triangle occupies one-third of the flag's width.
- **Color Standards:** The exact shades are defined for official manufacturing.

### Digital and Cultural Presence
- **Unicode:** Represented by the emoji `🇸🇩` (U+1F1F8 U+1F1E9), introduced in 2010.
- **OpenStreetMap:** Tagged as `flag:type=national` for mapping physical flag displays.
- **Multilingual Aliases:** Known as "سودان جھنڈا" (Urdu), "सूडान का झंडा" (Hindi), and "bandera de Sudán" (Spanish) across 67 Wikipedia editions.
- **Educational Resources:** Included in the Australian Educational Vocabulary (ID `scot/6250`) and the Analysis & Policy Observatory (term ID `21696`).

### Global Recognition
- **Wikipedia Coverage:** Articles in 67 languages, from Afrikaans to Vietnamese, reflecting its international diplomatic role.
- **Flags of the World (FOTW) ID:** `sd`, cataloged in vexillological databases.
- **Google Play Store:** Featured under the ID `Sudans_flagg_og_våpen`, highlighting its cultural significance.

### Legal and Cultural Status
The flag is protected under Sudanese law, with guidelines for display and respect. It is flown at government buildings, schools, and during national events, serving as a focal point for patriotism and unity. Its design elements are incorporated into national emblems, passports, and military insignia.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Name Suggestion Index